Day 3- IAMSTERDAM

Wow! The things we've seen and done and stretches we've walked in just one day are amazing in every sense of the word. I had the opportunity to travel to and tour Amsterdam last summer for about 2 1/2 days and 2 nights and we've already seen so much more. 

We start every day before 10 with complimentary buffet style breakfast at the hotel, with fruits, eggs, cereal, toast, and special Dutch jam, peanut butter, honey, and "bread sprinkles".

We each have our own tram cards that we get to carry. It does take a little more focus/attention than a normal train or public transportation card because we have to make sure that we check-in and scan our card before we enter the tram area as well as make sure to check-out otherwise we lose money on our cards/technically can't get off of the tram! After we take the tram we transfer to whatever train station we have to that day in order to travel to that city we're exploring and competing in. 

As athletes, walking has turned us into some serious 2-sport/three sport athletes. And as a sport it's earned newfound and renewed respect. Although we are getting the chance to really compare and contrast the resources available o the public in a good such as public transportation, we also need to take full advantage of our youthful bodies. We're doing a LOT of walking to make sure we get to see all of the things we came to see..and lug our luggage to the next desired location. On the schedule for the day was the Anne Frank House, the Heneiken Experience, and the Red Light District. We had to make sure to pack everything for the day to compete in the evening for our first match. So we left around 10 to catch the tram and the train, missed our 11 o'clock train but made other arrangements! 

Rachelle signing the Anne Frank guest book

We had high hopes and expectations for the day. After making our way through the confusion of similar looking streets, street names, and canals, we found our way to the first stop...the back of the Anne Frank house exhibit. Thankfully it wouldn't be too long of a wait! I've heard some nightmare stories about the lines wrapped around buildings and corners. To entertain us during the wait there was a canal musician playing against the church bells ringing in the hour.

I had been to Amsterdam before for a quick trip but didn't get the chance to visit that specific site because we had limited time. So I, along with the rest of the group were really excited. We didn't let the no pictures rule take away from our excitement or experience of the exhibit. It was amazing to be emerged in the life of the Frank family and friends to be reminded of a time when things weren't so simple. The miniature architecture models and photos depicted clearly what life in hiding was like for Anne and her family. Each room either had a quote/excerpt from her diary or a video recording to tell more of her history piece by piece. After knowing their story is definitely a must see.

As a large wolf pack in the shining sun (we lucked out with great weather!) we made our way to our next stop before the Heineken Experience, the crucially important, I AMSTERDAM sign! I've been waiting to see it. The sign moves around the city throughout the year and the time I was in Amsterdam it had been very far away from our hostel and although just like this trip we were doing the majority of our traveling on foot, we had a lot less knowledge of the city. This time the sign was located between stops number one and three in front of a famous museum that I visited with my friend (the Rijksmuseum). After we got all of the pictures we wanted we felt content and ready...for the beer.

Having been before I wasn't expecting too much of a different atmosphere/any surprises, but within the past year it definitely has been improved and renovated. I was more impressed this time around. Lots of hands-on interaction, lights, and beer. We made sure to get some souvenirs! We were going to be late for dinner. We eat every day before we go play but today we had limited time and already had full stomachs full from two or three beers each. 

The first "friendly" match we played in Amsterdam. The outcome wasn't exactly what we were hoping for but it went alright for our first time playing together! We needed to get usted to playing with one another as well as adjust to not having an actual setter on our roster.

We'll have two more friendlies before the actual DKV tournament on the weekend. Each one has an hour time slot so we can fit in 5 sets without using international rules. We won't have the opportunity to practice again before we play but we'll constantly be tryjng to work the kinks out.

-Genevieve